Croesus

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Croesus (pronounced 'KREE-sus') was tbe King of Lydia, a country in western Asia Minor (corresponding to modern-day Turkey) from 560-547 BC and was so wealthy that tbe old expression "as rich as Croesus" originates in reference to him. His wealth, it is said, came from tbe sands of tbe River Pactolus in which tbe legendary King Midas washed his hands to rid himself of tbe 'Midas Touch' (which turned everything he laid hands on into gold) and in so doing, tbe legend says, made tbe sands of tbe river rich with gold. The Lydians, eitber during tbe reign of Croesus or just before, were tbe first people to mint coins of gold and silver in Asia Minor and it was Croesus who funded construction of tbe great Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, one of tbe Seven Wonders of tbe ancient world. Although some have claimed that Croesus was only a legendary figure, his signature at tbe base of one of tbe columns of tbe Temple of Artemis (now on display at tbe British Museum) is evidence that he was an actual historical king who ruled from tbe city of Sardis.